"We feel very sad and shocked. The judge completely agreed with the lower court and rejected our grounds for appeal. We think it's very unfair. We question the fairness and transparency of this country's legal system," the elder Ching said.

The state-run Xinhua news agency quoted the judge as saying that the original verdict was "accurate in application of the law and appropriate in meting out punishment." The report did not give the judge's name.

"We are disappointed that Ching Cheong's appeal has been unsuccessful," China's employer, the Straits Times, said in an e-mailed statement. "As he is still not in the best of health, we appeal to the Chinese authorities to show him leniency and compassion while he is serving his sentence."

Ching, 56, has been suffering from insomnia and stomach pains, his wife, Mary Lau (劉敏儀), said on Thursday.

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